Hannah John-Kamen, Lewis Pullman, Wyatt Russell, David Harbour, Florence Pugh and Sebastian Stan in … More
Marvel’s Thunderbolts* is projected to make more than early tracking suggested but will likely fall short of the opening numbers for Captain America: Brave New World.
Starring Florence Pugh, David Harbor and Sebastian Stan, Thunderbolts* is the second Marvel Cinematic Universe chapter to be released in 2025. Anthony Mackie and Harrison Ford’s Captain America: Brave New World opened in February, while The Fantastic Four: First Steps will be released on July 25.
Thunderbolts* plays in Thursday previews before its wide release in theaters on Friday. On April 10, The Hollywood Reporter reported that Thunderbolts* was tracking to open with anywhere from $63 million to $77 million domestically, while Box Office Pro forecasted an opening of anywhere from $65 million to $85 million.
In a new box office forecast Wednesday, however, Box Office Pro adjusted its forecast to an $80 million to $90 million opening for Thunderbolts*.
Deadline and Variety’s opening weekend projections for Thunderbolts* are a bit more conservative, as the trade publications in reports published Tuesday and Wednesday, respectively, pegged the film to make $70 million to $75 million in its opening weekend frame.
The good news for Marvel is, that at least none of the new projections are in the low to mid-$60 million range as at least two outlets projected early last month. Per Variety, Thunderbolts* had a production budget of $180 million with a $100 million marketing spend.
By contrast, the MCU’s Captain America: Brave New World made $88.8 million domestically in its opening weekend in mid-February and tacked on $11.5 million on Presidents’ Day to bring its four-day holiday weekend tally to $100 million.
What Is ‘Thunderbolts*’ About?
Thunderbolts* is set not long after the events of Captain America: Brave New World.
The official summary for Thunderbolts* reads, “Marvel Studios assembles an unconventional team of antiheroes — Yelena Belova (Florence Pugh), Bucky Barnes (Sebastian Stan), Red Guardian (David Harbour), Ghost (Hannah John-Kamen), Taskmaster (Olga Kurylenko) and John Walker (Wyatt Russell).
“After finding themselves ensnared in a death trap set by Valentina Allegra de Fontaine (Julia Louis-Dreyfus), these disillusioned castoffs must embark on a dangerous mission that will force them to confront the darkest corners of their pasts. Will this dysfunctional group tear themselves apart, or find redemption and unite as something much more before it’s too late?”
Rated PG-13, Thunderbolts* is directed by Jake Scheier and also stars Lewis Pullman, Geraldine Viswanathan, Chris Bauer and Wendell Pierce.
The review embargo for Thunderbolts* lifted Tuesday, and the film scored mostly positive reviews out of the gate. As of Thursday, Thunderbolts* has a 90% “fresh” rating from Rotten Tomatoes critics, up 2% from the film’s RT rating on Thursday.
The RT Critics Consensus for the film reads, “Assembling a ragtag band of underdogs with Florence Pugh as their magnetic standout, Thunderbolts* refreshingly returns to the tried-and-true blueprint of the MCU’s best adventures.”
Thunderbolts* plays in Thursday previews before opening in theaters nationwide on Friday.
